When I was a young man I imagined that the end of a civilization would be dramatic. It turns out to be a lot less than that. The defense of an ancient city finally collapsing after a long siege and … Continue reading
Category: Articles
What I’ll Be Missing in October
For the first time since 2013, I shall be missing the annual conference at St. Benedict Center. Alas, my attendance is a victim of the Corona-induced restrictions on travel. So, I have decided to tick off the things I’ll miss … Continue reading
Baptism and the Mad Scientists of Liturgical Experimentation
You may have heard about Father Matthew Hood, a member of the presbyterate of the Archdiocese of Detroit who discovered, to his horror, that he had not been baptized validly and was consequently neither validly confirmed nor validly ordained. Father … Continue reading
Live According to Logos
Due to the coronavirus phenomenon, our graduation at IHM School did not happen as originally scheduled. Last month, we had a small ceremony with our graduates and their families. Of the speeches given that day, mine was the shortest. The … Continue reading
The Religion of America IV: Can These Bones Live?
The events that have transpired since our last instalment have cast everything said thus far into exceedingly and uncomfortably stark relief. Across the United States, cities have burned, shops been looted, and the statues not merely of Confederate stalwarts but … Continue reading
The Seven Hebrew Names of God
Let them give praise to thy great name: for it is terrible and holy (Psalm 98:3). “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” (Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet). Yes, in the languages of the world, when it comes … Continue reading
The Problem of Enlightened Despotism
The Catholic need not be told that all power, political or otherwise, comes from God and God alone. Our Lord says as much to Pilate during his passion (cf. Jn. 19:11). The Catholic also needs no reminder that this very … Continue reading
The Forgotten English Attacks on Spanish Florida
We are all too well aware of the unfortunate persistence of the Black Legend of the Medieval, Roman, and especially of the Spanish Inquisitions. Their very mention brings forth the thoughts of a darker time, filled with disease and ignorance. … Continue reading
What’s Wrong with Personalism and ‘Theology of the Body’? An Interview with Dom Pietro Leone
It was my great pleasure to interview the esteemed priest-theologian, Dom Pietro Leone, on the subject of Personalism and the “Theology of the Body” (TOB). The interview was carried out via email and was kindly made possible by his English-language … Continue reading
Whom the Gods Would Destroy They First Make Mad
There is one thing about the future that can be predicted with absolute certainty. It is that everybody reading these lines will one day die, as will their author, and I rather sooner than most of you because I am … Continue reading
I Will Not Remember Their Sins
It is written (Ezechiel 18:22): “I will not remember” any more “all his iniquities that he hath done.” Saint Thomas in the third part of his Summa Theologica, Q. 86, art. 1 uses this quote from Ezechiel in his Sed … Continue reading
The Religion of America III: Decline and Fall
As we have seen, the American Civic Religion was a disparate and amorphous thing — vaguely “Christian” as the Supreme Court decreed, and buttressed by the three pillars of the republic: the family, the church (of whatever kind), and the … Continue reading
A Delightful Book about Catholic ‘Stuff’
A Review A History of the Church in 100 Objects by Mike Aquilina with Grace Aquilina (Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Indiana, 2017). IN A History of the Church in 100 Objects, Mike Aquilina presents the bimillennial history of the … Continue reading
The Mountain That Stands Alone
Well before public gatherings in New Hampshire were limited to 50 people or less due to COVID-19, we had a talent show here at Saint Benedict Center. First place went to a lovely young lady who artfully recited from memory … Continue reading
Three Recommendations
When we stand before the Lord for our particular judgement, how will He decide whether to admit us into the company of the saved (if only after a time of purification) or banish us from His presence forever? The question … Continue reading
